VPNs are great for protecting your privacy, but did you know you can use one on your PS4? You might not think your game console needs a VPN, but there are many advantages to doing so.
Let’s take a look at why using a VPN for your PlayStation 4 is a good idea and how to set one up.
Why Your PS4 Needs a VPN
The PS4 can do more than play games. One of its key features is the ability to stream media from Netflix and YouTube. With a VPN, you can access other country’s libraries without worrying about the geo-block. This alone makes it worth the trouble for many people.
More importantly, all of the internet traffic going in and out of your PS4 will be encrypted with a VPN. If you’re worried about previous data breaches on the PlayStation Network, a VPN can help secure your traffic.
You may even see a better connection overall with a VPN. It seems strange that routing your traffic through an extra server would decrease your ping times, but it can happen in some cases. Some ISPs throttle bandwidth for online gaming and a VPN prevent this this.
It’s also possible that a VPN will give you more efficient server hops. There’s no guarantee that this will happen, but the possibility of it combined with the other advantages of a VPN mean it’s certainly worth trying out.
If you want to give a PlayStation 4 VPN a try, there are two different ways you can use a VPN with your PS4.
Not using a VPN already and not sure which one to try? MakeUseOf readers get 49% off on our top recommended VPN, ExpressVPN.
Install a VPN on Your Router
You can’t set up a VPN within the PlayStation 4’s settings, but you can set one up on your router. This routes all Wi-Fi traffic from your house—whether it’s from your computer, phone, tablet, or PlayStation—through a VPN. If you want to know how to use a VPN on PS4 without a PC, this is the best way.
The first thing you’ll need to do to get a VPN set up on your router is to install new firmware. The most popular option for this is DD-WRT. It’s free, it has a vast base of documentation, and makes it easy to get a VPN up and running. To install the firmware, follow the instructions from the DD-WRT website.
You’ll need to enter some specific details from your VPN service provider. Your best bet is to run a search for “install [your VPN provider] DD-WRT router.” Keep in mind that you might need a premium VPN service to use this feature.
Here are a few guides for popular VPN options:
- Express VPN (an excellent choice for PS4 users)
- PureVPN
- IVPN
- NordVPN
- ivacy
For every other VPN service, try our guide on how to set up a VPN on your router.
Keep in mind that you’ll be sending a lot of encrypted traffic through your router with this method, and that could slow down your internet connection. On the other hand, it will make sure that all of your traffic is secure, which is a nice benefit.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of setting up a VPN on your router, you can buy a VPN router. These allow you to enter your VPN details on their settings page for every device to use.
Connect Through Your Windows VPN
This approach is a bit simpler, but also requires that you have a Windows computer within a cable’s distance of your PS4. You’ll need an Ethernet crossover cable to connect your PS4 to your computer. If you’re feeling particularly crafty, you can make one from any Ethernet cable you have around.
Once they’re connected, you’ll need to change your adapter settings. First, open the Settings window by clicking the cog icon in the Start menu.
Then click Network & internet, and select Wi-Fi from the menu on the left.
Finally, click Change adapter options on the right:
From there, right-click on your Wi-Fi connection (if you connect to the internet wirelessly; if not, select the cable that’s connected to your modem) and select Properties.
In the Sharing tab, check the Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.
Then select your crossover cable from the dropdown menu.
Now you should be able to select this Ethernet connection from your PS4’s Set Up Internet Connection menu. Once you’ve done that, your VPN will encrypt your PS4’s connection.
As long as your computer connects to the internet through a VPN, your PlayStation will also. You could probably make this work over a Wi-Fi connection too, but a cabled connection will help you get faster speeds, which you’ll need for online gaming.
Connect Your PS4 to a VPN Today
Installing a VPN on your router or using a crossover cable to connect your console to your computer might seem complicated, but the benefits are worth it. Your traffic will be protected, you’ll be able to dodge region blocking, and you may even get better pings online—as weird as it may seem!
Looking for a VPN to use with your PlayStation 4? Check out list of the best VPNs for gamers.
Read the full article: How to Set Up a VPN on Your PlayStation 4
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